Africa Risks Losing $495m If Bird Flu Hits - Report

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Africa Risks Losing $495m If Bird Flu Hits - Report

The Post (Lusaka)

NEWS

January 23, 2006

By Joe Kaunda

Khartoum

AFRICA stands to suffer total losses of up to US $495 million in the event of an

outbreak of the avian influenza commonly referred to as bird flu.

And a report on the status of bird flu and its impact on Africa indicates that

Africa still remains under serious threat. This was highlighted in a report to

the African Union Ordinary Executive Council summit tabled before the

continent's foreign affairs ministers which closed on Saturday ahead of the

heads of state and government summit.

The report stated that Africa could lose about 15 per cent of its total poultry

population with adverse economic repercussions on many poor households depending

on poultry.

" Taking into consideration the next destinations of migratory birds, which is

Africa, there is a strong belief that this continent is under serious threat, "

the report read in part.

The report also identified Africa as the least prepared continent in the event

of epidemic and added that the major impact of the outbreak if it did occur

would be on the livelihoods of the poor rural communities, particularly women,

who depend on poultry for their subsistence.

The disease could easily affect, besides the wild birds, chickens, ducks, geese,

turkeys, guinea fowls, pigeon and ostriches. " This will cause severe economic

hardships at rural level. The total losses from deaths or culling of poultry are

expected to be 165 million heads (15 per cent of poultry population or about US

$495 million, " the report read.

The meeting heard that scientists who were investigating the problem stated that

the influenza pandemic would happen although they could not state at what time.

They, however, observed that supplies of vaccines and flu antiviral drugs, which

were the most important interventions in reducing illness and deaths, during the

pandemic would be inadequate in all countries at the start of the pandemic and

many months after. " On present trends, many developing countries including most

of African countries will have no access to vaccines throughout the duration of

a pandemic, " the ministers heard.

According to African Union special panel that described the situation as

serious, the World Health Organisation conservative estimate places the number

of expected deaths resulting from avian flu from two million to 7.4 million

expected in the event of an outbreak.

The risk was further increased in Africa as poultry production and marketing

systems brought humans and birds in close contact. The continental body has

since called on all member states to strengthen their capacities in the field of

surveillance of animal diseases while African Union members had from last year

put in place a plan of action in the event of a possible outbreak.

The report stated that avian flu was one of the most economically important

diseases threatening the African continent today. " Apart from being

transmissible to humans, the disease poses a serious threat to food and security

and the livelihoods of the rural communities in the continent, " read the report.

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